Flaring and burnishing tool with lost motion connection



July 7, 1959 e. E. FRANCK FLARING AND BURNISHING TOOL WITH LOST MOTION CONNECTION Filed Aug. 10, 1956 INVENTOR. Geq geZYfl-Qnc,

United States PatentO FLARIN G AND BURNISHING TOOL WITH LOST MOTION CONNECTION George E. Franck, Riverside, Ill., assignor to The Imperial Brass Manufacturing Company, a corporation I of Illinois Application August 10, 1956, Serial No. 603,425

9 Claims. (Cl. 153-79) This invention relates to a tube flaring tool and in particular to a tube flaring tool adapted automatically to burnish the flared end of the tube. 1

When tubing, such as copper tubing, is flared at an end to arrange the tubing for connection to a fitting, it is necessary that the inner surface of the flared portion be relatively true and regular. As common flaring tools incorporate a rotatable flaring cone which is either faceted or carries rollers to reduce the frictional drag, irregularities may result in the flare surface requiring a subsequent burnishing operation in which the surface is burnished or lapped to a true frusto-conical configuration.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide, a new and improved tube flaring tool with integral means for effecting proper burnishing ofthe flared tube.

Another object is to provide such a tube flaring tool wherein'the burnishing operation is effected by yieldable means maintaining the flaring cone in facial engagementwith the flare surface for a desirable amount of angular rotation of the cone prior to the separation of the cone from the flare surface.

A further object is to provide a simply constructed, economically manufactured tube flaring tool wherein the burnishing operation is completely automatic requiring no manipulation of any part of the tool by the operator thereof save reverse rotation of the handle.-

- Still another object of the invention is to providesuch a tube flaring tool capable of ready adjustment of the amount of burnishing that is automatically obtained.

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a tube flaring tool embodying the invention, with-the end of. a tube to be flared secured therein;

Figure 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken approximately along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

, Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken approximately along the line 3-3 of Figure 1, but with the elements disposed as at the end of the flaring operation;

Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 3, but with the tool elements disposed as during the burnish ing operation;

Figure 5 is an elevational view of a modified form of tube flaring tool having means for adjusting the amount of burnishing; Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken approximately along the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged end view of the flaring cone.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in Figures 1 to 4 and 7 of the drawings a tube flaring tool generally designated 10 is shown to comprise a frame member 11 arranged to carry a sleeve 12 for threaded advancement and withdrawal relative to a tube. end 20 held in a clamping means 13 carriedby one portion of the frame member. Extending completely through the sleeve 12 is a rod-like carrier member 14 2,893,464 Patented July 7, 1959 ice provided with a flaring cone 15 at the end thereof adjacent clamping means 13. At the opposite or outer end of carrier14 is provided an operating handle 16. Means for preventing relative rotational movement between handle 16 and sleeve 12, while allowing relative longitudinal movement therebetween, comprise a pin 17 secured to one of these elements and a complementary, longitudinally extending recess 18 in the other thereof. Yieldable means such as helical spring 19 are arranged. to extend between sleeve 12 and carrier 14 so as to urge cone 15 away from the sleeve and toward tube clamping: means 13. When sleeve, 12 is in the withdrawn position wherein cone 15 is spaced substantially away from the tube clamping means, the cone is spaced a predetermined distance from the end of the sleeve. When the cone is pressed against the tube end 20, the spring is overcome until the sleeve end abuts the cone and positively forces it against tube end to effect the flare, as best seen in Figure 3. However, as seen in Figure 4. upon the initial withdrawal of sleeve 12 subsequent to the flaring operation, spring 19 maintains cone 15 in engagement with the flared tube end automatically effecting a burnishing operation.

Frame member 11 comprises a rigid, yoke shaped structure having a bifurcated, inturned support portion 11a at its open end, and a threaded bore 11b extending through the opposite closed end. Tube clamping means 13 may be of any conventional type and is illustratively shown as of the split block type adapted to be carried on support portion 11a. Tube end 20 is inserted through means 13 so as to extend a predetermined distance above a frusto-conical flaring surface 13a provided thereon depending on whether the flare is to be made against the surface 13a or in the air.

Sleeve 12 is exteriorly threaded for engagement with threaded bore 11b and is provided at its outer end with a radial enlargement or collar 12a. While pin 17 may be fixedly secured to either of handle 16 or sleeve 12, for illustrative purposes I have shown the pin as fixedly secured to the handle and recess 18 as being provided in collar 12a .of the sleeve. A bore extends completely through. sleeve 12 having an outer portion 12b and an enlarged diameter inner portion with a radial shoulder 12d resultingly formed therebetween. At its outer end, bore portion 12b is radially enlarged to form a radial surface or shoulder 122. At its inner end, bore portion 120 opens into a radial surface 12 defining the inner end of the sleeve;

Carrier 14 comprises a rod having a cylindrical midportion 14a, and an outer portion 14b having a non-circular cross section with the sides'thereof being smaller tham the diameter of mid portion 14a thereby forming a shoul-. der 14c between the middle and outer portions. Handle, 16 is provided with a hub 16a having a bore 16b therethrough complementary to outer portion 14b of the carrier and adaptedv to prevent rotative movement between: the handle and the carrier. In the embodiment of thedrawings the cross section of portion 14b and bore 166 is square: Meanssuch as screw are provided for fixedly securing the handle to the carrier against shoulder 140. Pin 17 projects from handle 16 into recess 18 with a sliding fit, allowing longitudinal movement of the handle relative to the sleeve while preventing rotational movement therebetween. As may best be seen in Fig. 3 the longitudinal inward movement of the carrier relative to sleeve 12 is limited by the abutment of handle hub 16a with sleeve shoulder 12e.

Cone 15 is mounted on the inner end of carrier 14 and is annularly stepped to form a first shoulder 15a and a second shoulder 1512'. As shown, cone 15 may be faceted and chrome plated to provide improved, low friction workingof the tube end. Helical spring 19 is re ceiv'ed' around-"the mid portion 14a of the carrier in sleeve bore portion12c to extend between sleeve shoulder 12d and cone shoulder 15a under suitable compression. It is preferable that spring 19 be of sufficient strength to force the cone against the tube endto eflect a satisfactory burnishing operation. Sleeve shoulder 1 2j is' adapted to abut c one' 'shoulder- 15b when the sleeve is moved longitudinally inwardly while the cone is resisted axially such as by'tube end 20 during the flaring'operation.

In the operation of flaring tool 10 with tube end20- secured in clamping means-13' asseen in Figure lebandle 16 is suitably rotated (herein referred to as forward): to advance sleeve 12 toward clamping means 13*. This rotation is effected through pin 17. Carrier14 is concur-- rently rotated by the handle, thereby effecting rotation of flaring cone 15- carried on the other end thereof: As seen in Figure 1,carrier- 14 is urgedby spring 19 so that the in'nerq end of the handle hub 16a abuts sleeve shoulder 1222 and cone shoulder 15b isspaced substantiallyfrom sleeve shoulder 12 Upon engagement of cone 15 with tubew end 20, resistance to the forward mov ementofcarrier 14 resultstending to overcome spring 19 and move; sleeve shoulder 1=2f' relatively toward-cone shoulder 15b until the shoulders abut. Thereafter advancementof cone 15 is'continued-until tube end- 20-isforced into facialcontact with flaring surface 13w to complete the flaringoperation, as seen in Figure 3.

ReVerserotation of handle 16 now causes'sleeve 12 to.-.be threadedly withdrawn through boreill'b while cone 15: is-being rotated. However, the action of spring 19 causes cone .15 to maintain forceful engagement with theflarede surface. of tube end 20.. Thus, the cone is positionally longitudinally fixed while rotating,'t'hereby effeeting a burnishing. action. against the flared surface of tube end; 20; This burnishing action continues until, under the urging action of spring 19,- handle hub 16a is caused to; abut sleeve shoulder 12a thereby'preventing further movement of sleeve shoulder 12 away/fromthe cone shoulder 1517. Continued: reverserotation of handle l6fieflects withdrawal ofcarrier 14-and cone 15 thereon together with. sleeve 12, allowing theltool to be returned to, the starting position of'Figure 1.

In the modified tool 110 of Figures and 6;. a modified sleeve 112, carrier 1 114, and cone- 115- are provided wherein; the sleeve is provided'with. squared boreportion 112g in which is received a complementary squaredouter portion -114b,of the carrier. Carrier. portion 11417 extends into-a squared bore 116b inf'the handle so as to provide a non-rotative connection between. handle. 116 and sleeve 11-2:

g In this form, a} screw 1160 extends through. handle 116 and is secured adjustably to the outer. end of carrier= -por;tign1;14b, Thus,- as best seenin. Figure 5", carri e r;;11,4 may -be positioned-v axially relative. to.sleeve 112: so that the space between sleeve shoulder outer. end 1112 and; cone, shoulder; 1:155 may be Y predetermined. and fixed as, desired. H As. the, spacing between shoulders 112 and 115b,. determines the. amount ofwithdrawat of sleeve 11 2 allowed: before cone 115; is withdrawnifrom en gagement ..with the flared tube surface, the amount ofburnishingeffected is thus made. controllable: through the adjustment of screw-1116,0- In all other. respects, theoperatien of tool; 110, is. similar to operationof tool:

While- I: have shown and described certain. embodiments of; 1 ention, it is tobe. understood that it iscapable By modifisations Changes, therefore, inEthe'Fconarrangement maybe made. without departp it and scope-of" the invention asidisclosed in the appended claims.

li la mi l. A tube flaring and burnishing tool comprisinga g p r-nayi g; a threaded; bore through one portion thereof and a, support portion adapted 'to have a tube-. end supported, therein in alignmentwi-th saidbore, an; externallythreaded sleeve engaged iiisaid' borefor rotative movement relative to said frame member and for axial-movement as an incidentto such rotative movement, an abutment means carried by said sleeve, tube flaring means including a carrying member mounted in said sleeve for movement axially thereof and a flaring cone fixed on that end of said carrying member adjacent the support portion of said frame, means including a handle for simultaneously rotating said sleeve and said flaring meansin, either direction to adyanee or retract said sleeve, stop means assoqiatedwith said sleeve and with said flaring means, restricting to a desired amount the relative axial movement between said sleeve and said flaring means, said stop means including the end of said sleeve.adjacentisaidfcone:and means on said flaring means adapted to be engagedby said sleeve end, after a predetermined advance of said sleeve by rotation in an advancing direction, for effecting positive axial movement of said flaring cone to effect a flaring operation upon continued rotation of said" sleeve in an advancing direction, and compression spring means interposed between said abutment means and said-flaring means forcefully maintainingsaid' cone urged' against a tube that has been flared to effect a burnishing thereof duringretracting rotation of saidsleeve until said fiaring means has traveled the limit ofits axial movement relative to said sleeve.

2. A" tubeflaringapd burnishing toolcomprising a frame member having; a threadedbore through one portion thereof and a support portion adapted to have a tube end supported'therein in alignment with said bore, an externally threadedj sleeveengaged in said bore for rotative, movement relative to saidframe member andfor axial movement as an incident to such rotative move ment, an abutment means carried by said sleeve, tube flaring means including a carrying member mounted in said sleeve for movementaxially'thereof and a flaring cone fixed on that end of said carrying member adjacentthe support portion of said frame, means coupling said carrying member and said sleeve for joint rotation while permitting relative axial movement, compression spring means interposed between saidabutment means and said flaring means positively and forcefully urging said cone in the direction of the support portion of said frame member, means associated with said sleeve and with said flaring means'limiting relative axial movement of said flaring means under the influence of said spring to a fraction of the movement of said sleeve, the end of said sleeve'adjacent said flaring cone serving as an abutment engaging said flaring means positively to limit axiabmovement of said flaring means relative to said sleeve in a direction in opposition tothe action of said spring, and a handle for simultaneously rotating said coupled sleeve and flaring means to flare atube-end after engagement of a tube end by said cone and abutment ofsaid sleeve end with. said'flaring means during rotation of said sleeve in a-directidn toadvance the same and to burnish the flared tube end by forceful maintenance of said cone against the flared tube. end during initial rotation of said sleeve in a direction to retract the same.

3. A tube flaring and burnishing toolcomprising a frame member-having a threaded bore through one portion thereof and a support portion adapted to have a tube end' supported therein inalignmeritwith said bore, an externally' threaded sleeve "engaged in. said bore for rotative movement relative to said. frame member and-for, axial movement as. an. incident to. such rota tive movement, an abutment means carried by'said sleeve, tube flaring-"means including. acarryingmember mounted in said-sleeve for movement axially thereof and a flaring cone fixed on that end of said carrying member adjacent the support portion of said: frame, a; compression spring compressed between said abutment means and saidflaring means for forceably urging'said cone axially away'from said sleeve, means carried by the other end of'said carrying-member limiting the axial movement of said carrying member relative to said sleeve as effected by said spring whereby said cone is normally disposed spaced axially from the adjacent end of said sleeve, said adjacent sleeve end being disposed to abut said cone and limit axial movement of said carrying member relative to said sleeve in the opposite direction, and means for simultaneously rotating both said sleeve and said flaring means to move both said sleeve and said flaring means axially until said cone makes contact with a tube held in said support portion then to move only said sleeve axially until the end thereof abuts said cone and then to resume axial movement of both said sleeve and said flaring means to effect a flaring operation, reverse rotation of said sleeve and of said flaring means upon completion of said flaring operation moving only said sleeve axially until said means carried by the other end of said carrier comes into play to limit realtive axial movement between said sleeve and said flaring means, said spring during such relative axial movement maintaining said cone in engagement with the flared tube end and having suflicient strength to cause said cone to burnish the flared end of the tube.

4. A tube flaring and burnishing tool, comprising: a frame member having a threaded bore through one portion thereof and a support portion adapted to have a tube end supported therein in alignment with said bore; an externally threaded sleeve engaged in said bore for axial and rotative movement; a carrier in said sleeve axially slidable therein and having ends projecting outwardly from the opposite ends of said sleeve; a flaring cone fixed on one end of said carrier adjacent said support portion; a compression spring compressed between said sleeve and said cone for forceably urging said cone axially away from said sleeve; means carried by the other end of said carrier for limiting the axial movement of said carrier relative to said sleeve as efiected by said spring whereby said cone is normally disposed spaced axially from the adjacent end of said sleeve, said adjacent sleeve end being disposed to abut said cone and limit axial movement of said carrier relative to said sleeve in the opposite direction, and means for simultaneously rotating both said sleeve and said flaring cone carrier to move both said sleeve and said carrier axially until said cone makes contact with a tube held in said support portion, then to move only said sleeve axially until the end thereof abuts said cone and then to resume axial movement of both said sleeve and said carrier to eifect a flaring operation, reverse rotation of said sleeve and said carrier, upon completion of said flaring operation,

moving only said sleeve axially until said means carried by the other end of said carrier comes into play to limit relative axial movement between said sleeve and said carrier, said spring during such relative axial movement maintaining said cone in engagement with the flared tube end and having suflicient strength to cause said cone to burnish the flared end of the tube.

5. The tool of claim 4 wherein said sleeve has a stepped bore extending axially therethrough with a radial shoulder formed between portions of different diameter and said spring is received in an enlarged portion of the bore between said shoulder and said flaring cone.

6. The tool of claim 4 wherein the means carried by the other end of said carrier for limiting the relative axial movement thereof and said means for simultaneously rotating both said sleeve and said carrier comprise a handle member nonrotatably secured to said other end of the carrier and a cooperating pin and recess, one of said pin and recess being carried by said handle and the other by said sleeve, said pin being at all times engaged in said recess to couple said sleeve and said carrier for joint rotational movement while permitting relative axial movement of said sleeve and said carrier.

7. The tool of claim 4 wherein the means for limiting relative axial movement between said carrier and said sleeve is adjustable to vary the amount of burnishing action.

8. The tool of claim 4 wherein said other end of the carrier has a noncircular transverse cross section, a handie is connected to said other end, said handle being provided with a complementary noncircular recess for nonrotative but axially displaceable reception of said other end therein.

9. The tool of claim 4 wherein said spring surrounds said carrier near its cone carrying end, and said sleeve is provided with an axial recess opening toward said support portion in which said spring is received.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 654,461 Koester July 24, 1900 2,694,321 Riza Nov. 16, 1954 2,707,511 Franck May 3, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 552,110 Germany June 9, 1932 1,016,338 France Aug. 20, 1952 1,020,498 France Feb. 6, 1953 

